Search - Chris Connor :: Now

Now and Forever

07/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the days when standard pop and jazz were down and out, all but missing from radio and the record stores, Chris Connor after a brilliant jazz career on Atlantic did what had to be done and signed to do two pop albums for ABC. Pop albums of the current hit songs, including Freddy and the Dreamers' "I'm Telling You Now," Lennon and McCartney's "Nowhere Man" and much else of that nature. She was able to sneak in some of her favorites such as Peggy Lee's "The Shining Sea." Now, you might think the results would be stuff far below Connor's usual standard, but far from it. Aided by terrific orchestrations and mastering, she turns in magnificent vocals on everything, transforming even the slightest effort into memorable listening. She's in great voice, great spirits and musically flawness. But that should not be a big surprise. Connor began as a pop band singer and on early air checks such as "Wish You Were Here" with Claude Thornhill she exhibits an ability to take pop hits of the moment and make them into eternal standards with her luxurious voice, flawless phrasing, musical intelligence and dead-on intonation. The photo-less cover was ABC's attempt to draw in Connor fans by imitating the cover of her magnificent final Atlantic effort, "Free Spirits" (which is still not on C.D.) but it does reflect the sunny nature of the album. This is first-rate work by a peerless talent and even today sounds VERY now!"